“I had a method to my madness,” he said. “If I can free up some more of your time, maybe you and I can go out for dinner ourselves now and then. Take in a movie.”
“Or Rachel’s play,” I said, which made Rachel’s wide grin grow even greater. Where was the pout that had defined her face when I’d first met her?
I was definitely delighted that it had disappeared.
And I purposely left the response to Russ’s question hanging.
Question: Why was it I couldn’t get as excited about this nice, slightly older, and absolutely attractive man as I did about Jeff?
Answer: Because I’m a perpetual flop in the select-the-right-man-for-a-relationship department.
Question: Would that ever change?
Answer: Damned if I knew.
While Lexie and I climbed the stairs to our apartment at about 7 P.M., my cell phone rang. I noted the number.
Jeff.
I thought about letting it tumble into voice mail. Hadn’t he gotten my message, when I’d handed it to him face to face? Or at least face to back. Like, we’re history, Hubbard.
Well, obtuseness wasn’t this P.I.’s middle name, but obstinacy might be. I decided to answer.
“Kendra? Could you come over here? I’m going out of town on an emergency assignment and I’ll need for you to take care of Odin, okay?”
“Now? Tonight?”
“You know I prefer your staying here when you pet-sit Odin. And I always pay you extra for it.”
I considered saying no. But hey, I liked Odin. If I kept on pet-sitting for him, I could ensure everything stayed on a strictly professional basis.
I hoped.
I PACKED AN overnight bag and Lexie’s breakfast, then we were on our way.
We were soon on the flat Sherman Oaks street where Jeff lived. I didn’t park behind his Escalade but would pull my Beamer into the driveway once he’d departed.
I rang the bell and heard Odin’s responsive bark. That set Lexie prancing.
The door opened, and there stood Jeff. Looking every bit as good as last night.
“Thanks for coming, Kendra.” He motioned me to come in.
Which was when I saw Amanda sitting in Jeff’s sunken living room, looking as much like a slender, gorgeous fashion model as she ever had—not that I’d been informed of what the bleached blonde’s genuine career was these days. She was clad in a sexy form-fitting sweater and equally tight slacks—and looked about as thrilled to see me as I was to see her.
Somehow, I must have missed her red car outside.
“What’s going on, Jeff?” I demanded. “I thought you wanted me to stay overnight with Odin.”
“And me,” he said aloud—loud enough for Amanda to hear it.
She rose rapidly and hurried toward us.
Jeff turned toward her. “I wanted to make things clear to Kendra, Amanda. You and I are history. Our only relationship lately has been as customer and security consultant.”
“Right,” I said. “Like on those nights when she provided you an alibi.”
“Tell her the truth, Amanda. When was the last time you and I slept together?”
“None of her damned business,” Jeff’s ex spat from behind a sneer.
“I wanted to give you this right in front of Kendra.” Jeff reached into his pocket, then handed her what appeared to be a business card. “This is the contact information for a friend of mine who’s also in the security business. I’ve told him to expect your call and explained about your stalker. He’ll give you a discount on his fees, as a professional courtesy to me. But from now on, you talk to him, not me, if you need protection. Got it?”
She didn’t reply—verbally. But talk about vicious looks. And hers was aimed solely at little old me. She turned her back and without another word stalked from the house.
I smiled inside as I watched through Jeff’s front window to be certain she drove off. Sure enough, her car had been parked several doors down.
And then I hazarded a glance at Jeff.
His look was absolutely lustful.
“Er … I think Lexie and Odin need a walk,” I stammered uneasily, even as my own hormones started hustling up heat from way inside. “Care to come along?”
“Sure,” Jeff replied huskily. “We’ll take the dogs out for their last fun of the evening. And then we’ll come home and take care of ours.”
Terrible taste in men be damned, at least for tonight. I hurried into his arms for a long, luscious, lascivious kiss. Then backed out of them, using the eager dogs as an excuse. But later … well, later would come, and I’d enjoy it for now.
If real life was like a romance novel, I’d assume that we’d live happily ever after—together.
The reality was that tonight I’d settle for a superb session of making up in bed. And tomorrow?
Well, men can be so naïve. Jeff didn’t really think he had ended things with Amanda so easily, did he?
I’d learned to rely on my gut feelings, and I had one way deep down as we walked.
Amanda would be back.
What would I do then?
On that, my gut stayed silent. For now.
Lexie must have sensed that my thoughts were on something besides her walk. She leapt up on my leg for attention.
Not to be outdone, Odin stood up on my other side.
And Jeff put his arm around my shoulder.
No murders left to mull over …
It was going to be a damned good night.
Fine-Feathered Death Page 24